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People use hammers to encourage nails into a solid material, such as wood. Not always easy. Not always successful. And it is not always without pain. Practicing good project management requires good tools. Executing great project management requires dedicated talent. Success is not always painless as you steer a project to completion. Thinking through tools and talent helps. So, let us explore in more detail.

Tools

Methodology

The PMBOK is the classic methodology used in the project management universe.

I studied something slightly different, VPIC. Originally offered by the folks at Franklin Covey, this has since been modified into something that resembles the PMBOK.

Visualization – using information gleaned from key stakeholders, develop a vision for the project that includes qualitative and quantitative goals and objectives. Be sure there is a specific tie-in with the strategic plan.

Plan – create a work breakdown structure (WBS), identify hot spots, and automate all that is the plan.

Implement – get to work, holding everyone accountable.

Close – determine success and failure by conducting a post-mortem; identify changes to be implemented into the next round of projects.

Technology

Choose a tool that will enable better project management. The tools should provide for collaboration, document management, and reporting.

Provide the tool to the organization. In doing so, the tool should be easy-to-use and intuitive.

Talent

Dedication

In choosing your project manager, there are two items to consider in the context of dedication: your own and that of the person you’re putting in this role. Dedication to, if not downright enthusiasm for, the strategic plan as well as the project management office are paramount. To that degree, this individual or team must be brought into the strategic plan communication loop (see our posts regarding communication here and here).

Organization

The individual or team for this job must be organized. Now, they don’t need to be militaristic about their organization. However, they must a particular mindset for living a clutter-free life. This also extends to their minds.

Candor

This is likely the most important factor of all. Candor. We talked about it earlier (see our post on communications here). Action is the mainstay of the project manager and/or project management team. To get action out of others, sometimes there must be straightforward communication. Demands must be put forward. Demands must be met. If not, then things falter.

This is the last in our series on the project management office. If you’d like to see our earlier posts, then please proceed here for information on driving strategy to projects. For information on PMO philosophy and culture, click here. If we can help your firm execute a project or assist with setting up a PMO, then please reach out to Beth Bumgarner via our contact form.

There it sits. Shelf #2, row #5. Doesn’t it look nice? Isn’t the cover the tops? Isn’t it grand? And what about the weight?

We’ve all written them or seen them. The strategic business plan. Dead on arrival? I hope not.

In the first two installments on this particular topic – the close out meeting, which can be found here, and the welcome back meeting, which can be found here - I discussed closing out the planning continuum as you head into 2014. Executing in 2014 requires that the plan be a living plan.

Here are four guidelines for keeping the plan alive:

Hold the two meetings discussed. It’s simple and doesn’t take an inordinate amount of time.

Transfer critical projects and tasks to a project management office. And then follow through with it. Put some one in charge.

Refer back to the plan in at least every other management meeting and/or staff meeting (assuming you are having weekly staff meetings).

If you are really daring, have your supervisory committee or a third-party consultant review the plan to date and report back to the board monthly, or worst case, quarterly.

It is my belief that planning is just the beginning. Quality should prevail over quantity. However, the arc of quality should not forestall the advancement of the plan. Where will you be in 2016? 2020? It is imperative that there be an urgency to your business planning. Whether your are on top or whether you are climbing back from the edge, there must be an urgency. This will give your plan life.

Arp D. Trivedi, Principal

Arp Trivedi is a consultant, business strategist, and speaker with nearly 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is a graduate of Georgia State University, where he earned a degree in economics and an M.Sc. in strategy management.

In his spare time, Arp enjoys travel, creative writing, and playing guitar badly.

Testimonials from our clients

Reconn Consulting

"I’ve had the pleasure of working with Reconn Consulting on a variety of projects, including facilities/space planning, process improvement, and policy management. Arp Trivedi has a wide range of knowledge and experience to provide guidance in these diverse areas of the organization. And, because he has come to know the employees and the organization well, he is considered a good resource, confidant and friend. Arp has the unique ability to provide insightful ideas while being mindful of operational challenges. The firm provides sound and independent advice which is founded on fact-based data gathering and reasoning. I value the relationship with Reconn Consulting and highly recommend Arp and Reconn Consulting to others in the credit union industry."

"I’ve had the pleasure of working with Reconn Consulting on a variety of projects, including facilities/space planning, process improvement, and policy management. Arp Trivedi has a wide range of knowledge and experience to provide guidance in these diverse areas of the organization. And, because he has come to know the employees and the organization well, he is considered a good resource, confidant and friend. Arp has the unique ability to provide insightful ideas while being mindful of operational challenges. The firm provides sound and independent advice which is founded on fact-based data gathering and reasoning. I value the relationship with Reconn Consulting and highly recommend Arp and Reconn Consulting to others in the credit union industry."

"I am working with Reconn Consulting to establish a program instrumental to the mission of my organization. Arp listened keenly, quickly homed in on the rudiments of our next step, and provided us structure for development. His broad business background is welcomed in the nonprofit world and he fully understands his role as a consultant.

Arp is willing to learn from others as well as share his talents with them. I enjoy working with him, as does my board of directors."

"Arp and Reconn Consulting masterfully guided my board and me through an extensive planning process. He brought us together and directed us down the right path for the implementation of our mission. In fact, we liked him so much we put him on retainer. I highly recommend Arp and his services."

Philip Webb, Ph.D.
Executive Director

Making it Possible to End Homelessness

Edison, NJ

Reconn Consulting

"I have worked with Arp over several years and have always found his work to be thorough, insightful, and strategically driven. The original project that we worked on with Arp serves as the foundation of our long-term facilities plan.

I truly value my discussions with Arp and he has always provided an unbiased and independent view on the possibilities that lie ahead of us. I consider him a trusted advisor and truly enjoy our strategic conversations and his honest counsel."

Gene Pelham
President/CEO
Rogue Federal Credit Union
Medford, OR

Reconn Consulting

"We engaged Arp Trivedi to develop a strategic facilities plan for our credit union to grow market share. After a thorough analysis of market conditions, his work was comprehensive, perceptive and met the needs of our company’s decision makers. It ultimately played an integral role in the development of our future strategic growth initiatives. It has stood the test of time and allowed us to move forward with confidence.

On a personal basis, I have found Arp’s intellectual curiosity, independent thinking and perspective of the financial services industry to be invaluable in his ability to provide candid advice and direction on many issues, both strategic and tactical."

From the blog

GeoServices Partner Program

Reconn Consulting is proud to be partnered with Texas A&M University GeoServices, which offers the latest cutting-edge research on geocoding to assist in research and data processing, analysis, and visualization.